ESUMC Newsletter
March 2026
Dear friends in Christ,
As we continue along our journey of faith in this season of Lent, I pray God's blessings on you and your loved ones.
In the Lenten season, we bear in mind the reality of our sinfulness and our mortality. But in so doing, we turn to God for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the assurance that our faith leads to life everlasting. May this season of penitence and prayer bring each of us to a greater understanding of the love and grace of God.
I give thanks for your participation in the events that have marked the start of this solemn season. One week ago, on Ash Wednesday, we gathered in our sanctuary for a quiet service of the ashes. As each of us received the mark of the ash on our forehead, we remembered our mortality, and embraced God's gift of forgiveness.
Last Saturday, it was our blessing to host the annual Ecumenical Study Day, a yearly event sponsored by the community of English-speaking Christian churches in Vienna. About 45 persons from four congregations met together for a day of learning, sharing, and fellowship. Our guest speaker was Father Elias Carr of Kosterneuberg Stift (photo below), who gave a series of presentations on the life and scholarship of René Girard. We give thanks to Father Elias and our friends from our sister congregations for their participation in the day. And we express deep appreciation to our own Farzad and Sadaf for preparing a beautiful and delicious meal!
This gathering reminds us that even in the season of Lent, we are invited to celebrate the gift of life and rejoice in the blessings of God. To that point, we invite all members and friends to our congregational Talent Show this Saturday 28 February, starting at 17:30 in the sanctuary. Please bring a finger food to share with others, and come to enjoy the talents of your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ.
And on Sunday 1 March, immediately following the worship service, we shall gather in the sanctuary for our Charge Conference, the annual meeting with Superintendent Stefan to reflect upon the ministry of our congregation. This gathering offers the opportunity to celebrate the good that God is working in our church and our lives, and to reflect upon the ministry and mission to which God may be calling us in the coming year.
May God's blessings and peace be upon you in this holy season, and I look forward to seeing you in worship and fellowship.
Yours in Christ, Pastor John
Pastor
News from the church
Vienna English-Speaking
ESUMC music director Marilyn Brandl invites members and friends to share their talents on Saturday 28 February, and to bring a finger food for the meal following the event.
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All ESUMC members and friends are invited to take part in our annual church meeting immediately following the worship service.
read morePastor
As we continue in this season of Lent, you are invited to reflect upon what John Wesley called God's "means of grace," in a special online study every Tuesday evening through 31 March.
read morePastor
Join us in worship in this season of Lent, as we prepare for the festival of Holy Week and Easter.
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Every Tuesday morning, our Wärmestube offers hot home-cooked meals, clothing and personal care items, canned goods, and warm Christian hospitality to our neighbors in need. This ministry is co-sponsored by ESUMC and the German-speaking Fünfhaus congregation, and supported by volunteers from the two congregations and friends from other Christian and secular organizations. Pastor Antje Klein of the Fünfhaus congregation offers this reflection.
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Pastorin
Unsere Sommerfreizeit für alle Generationen findet wieder im Ennshof in Altenmarkt/Zauchensee statt. Anmeldungen sind ab sofort möglich!
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Pastor, Superintendent
Services
Vienna English-Speaking
Remain with us following worship for the Charge Conference, the annual congregational meeting of ESUMC. Our preacher shall be Superintendent Pastor Stefan Schröckenfuchs.
Bible texts
- Genesis 12:1-4a
- Romans 4:1-5 and 13-17
- John 3:1-17
Bible texts
- Exodus 17:1-7
- Romans 5:1-11
- John 4:5-42
Bible texts
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- Ephesians 5:8-14
- John 9:1-41
Bible texts
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
- Romans 8:6-11
- John 11:1-45
Join us as we celebrate with a procession of the palms, as we observe the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Bible texts
- Isaiah 50:4-9a
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Matthew 21:1-11
In this solemn service of worship, we remember the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bible texts
- Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
- Hebrews 10:16-25
- John 18:1 – 19:42
Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with a special service of Holy Communion.
Bible texts
- Acts 10:34-43
- Colossians 3:1-4
- Matthew 28:1-10
Events
Vienna English-Speaking
We invite all church members and friends to participate in the annual ESUMC Talent Show. All are welcome to attend, and to bring a finger food to share. For those who wish to offer a talent, please speak with Marilyn. Pick up a flyer in the fellowship area for more information.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide hot meals, medical care, and warm Christian fellowship to the needy of our community. You are welcome to participate in any part of the day. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Join us for our series on John Wesley's "means of grace," meeting every Tuesday during Lent via Zoom. Please contact Pastor John for more information or if you wish to join.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide hot meals, medical care, and warm Christian fellowship to the needy of our community. You are welcome to participate in any part of the day. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Join us for our series on John Wesley's "means of grace," meeting every Tuesday during Lent via Zoom. Please contact Pastor John for more information or if you wish to join.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide hot meals, medical care, and warm Christian fellowship to the needy of our community. You are welcome to participate in any part of the day. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Join us for our series on John Wesley's "means of grace," meeting every Tuesday during Lent via Zoom. Please contact Pastor John for more information or if you wish to join.
Join the ESUMC Young Adults Group for an International Potluck and Game Night. Attendees are invited to bring a dish from the culture of their choice and enjoy an evening of games, fun, and fellowship. Speak with Daniel Mohr for further details.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide hot meals, medical care, and warm Christian fellowship to the needy of our community. You are welcome to participate in any part of the day. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Join us for our series on John Wesley's "means of grace," meeting every Tuesday during Lent via Zoom. Please contact Pastor John for more information or if you wish to join.
Join us for our series on John Wesley's "means of grace," meeting every Tuesday during Lent via Zoom. This shall be the last meeting in this Lenten series. Please contact Pastor John for more information or if you wish to join.
This shall be the last day of the Wärmestube ministry for the winter season. Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide hot meals, medical care, and warm Christian fellowship to the needy of our community. You are welcome to participate in any part of the day. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
We commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples with the ritual of Footwashing and the sacrament of Holy Communion.